Manchester, Ky., Awarded Grant for Water Treatment Plant

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear presented a ceremonial check commemorating the award of a $1,000,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the city of Manchester, Ky., WYMTnews.com reported. The money will be used toward a new water treatment plant that will serve Clay County.

"Words can't describe what this [new water treatment plant] will mean to the people out in rural areas of the county where wells dried up and caved in during last year's drought," said Manchester Mayor Carmen Lewis. "We sincerely appreciate the governor's assistance with this additional funding and his recognition of the importance of safe drinking water for our community."

Currently, the existing plant operates over 80% of its design capacity for 22.2 hours per day, leaving an insufficient amount of time for maintenance. The new plant, which will be located at Bert T. Combs Lake, will have an initial capacity of 3.2 million gal per day (mgd) with the ability to expand to treat 4 mgd.

"Good, clean drinking water is a fundamental need and we must all work together to ensure that need is fullfilled," Beshear said. "Local, state and federal funds are all being used for the betterment of this community and the citizens of Manchester and Clay County.”

The total cost of the water project is estimated at $6,159,500. The governor also recommended the approval of a $500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant that will contribute to that total, the website reported.